The 1996 New York Yankees season was the 94th season for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. The 1996 New York Yankees were managed by Joe Torre, and played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The team finished first in the American League Eastern Division with a record of 92–70, 4 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles and won their first division title since 1981 (the 1994 team had the best record in the American League, but the strike took it away). The team defeated the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series, three games to one. The Yankees went on to defeat the Orioles in the American League Championship Series four games to one. In the 1996 World Series the Yankees beat the defending National League and World Series champion Atlanta Braves four games to two, winning four consecutive games to overcome a two-games-to-none deficit. All told, the Yankees finished the post-season with an 8–0 road win–loss record, while going just 3–4 at home. The Yankees earned their 23rd World Series title and their first since 1978. It was the last season for Hall of Fame TV announcer Phil Rizzuto, who left the team's broadcast crew that year.

Offseason

Regular season

Notable transactions

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Detailed records

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters

''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

ALDS

Game 1, October 1

Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

Game 2, October 2

Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

Game 3, October 4

The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Game 4, October 5

The Ballpark in Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Postseason

ALCS

Jeffrey Maier

On October 9, 1996, the Yankees trailed the Orioles 4–3 in the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop Derek Jeter hit a deep fly ball to right field. Right fielder Tony Tarasco moved near the fence and appeared "to draw a bead on the ball" when then-12 year old fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the fence separating the stands and the field of play 9 feet below and deflected the ball into the stands. While baseball fans are permitted to catch (and keep) balls hit into the stands, if "a spectator reaches out of the stands, or goes on the playing field, and touches a live ball" spectator interference is to be called.

1996 World Series

Game 1

October 20, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York

Game 2

October 21, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York

Game 3

October 22, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 4

October 23, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 5

October 24, 1996, at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 6

October 26, 1996, at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York

Awards and honors

All-Stars

All-Star Game

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Columbus, GCL Yankees